300 kilometers east of the philippines. the south korean ministry of the national defense has confirmed the launch. an official says it took place. the north koreans carried out the previous launch in april from that facility. south koreans, japanese and u.s. officials, among others, urged the north koreans to cancel. it appears they ignored the warnings. now, once again, the south korean ministry of national dense has confied t laun. an official says it took place from the site. the north koreans carried out the previous launch in april from that facility. south korean, japanese and u.s. officials, among others, urged the north koreans to cancel. it appears they ignored the warnings. leaders in pyongyang went ahead with the launch, as we've been reporting, despite repeated requests to cancel it. they said it would, in other words, encourage the korean people. nhk world's reporter explains what else ght be motivatg them. >> reporter: the north koreans have played out a familiar scenario. space agency officials and others ga